With €3 million expansion
‘In the first two years production expectations are 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes. If the current regulatory regime remains unchanged this could expand to 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes. If the Government extends the smokeless ban to the entire country, demand for smokeless products would treble. With Smokeless Fuel being the only coal product legally sold in Ireland we would see production going quickly to 60,000 to 80,000 tonnes and developing from there.’
Mr Maher said: ‘Smokeless solid fuel tends to evolve with each new generation of fuels building on what has gone before. The new product, Superglow Xtra, was developed on site over the past six months in conjunction with a smokeless fuel consultant from the UK who has over 40 years’ experience in the area of smokeless fuel going back to the days of the nationalised British Coal Company. When developing Superglow Xtra we carried out extensive tests on a test fire where products are tested in identical conditions with heat thermocouples arranged around the fire to measure radiated heat. In tests against similar competitor products, Superglow Xtra came out ahead, especially in terms of heat output and burn out (i.e. minimal fuel left unburned on the grate).’
He said: ‘For years consumers have complained that smokeless fuels did not match traditional coal in heat output, flame and general fire ambience. Consumers now have a choice of a smokeless fuel, Stafford’s Superglow Xtra, that performs at a similar heat level as traditional coal, last significantly longer making it better value, with a good flame and general ambience similar to traditional coal. It carries the additional benefit of having only 25 per cent of the emissions of traditional coal leading to cleaner air. Consumers can make the change now.’
The company are currently advanced in developing a mixed fossil fuel and Biomass smokeless fuel.
‘We would hope to have this ready for the market before Christmas. The initial target is to incorporate 30 per cent renewable biomass into a smokeless solid fuel. This would give a reduction of 30 per cent in net greenhouse gas emissions from the solid fuel. In time we would hope to increase the renewable biomass element to 50 per cent or more. In the medium term we will consolidate our new plant over the next two years, but we will continue to look for other additional business opportunities for our New Ross facility.’
The company has 350 to 400 active suppliers.
‘Current supply lines for coal and solid fuel products go back to the sixties and seventies. We are always updating our supply chain and looking for new or innovative products in the solid fuel space.’
Coal and smokeless coal is sourced from a very diverse range of areas. ‘We source product from UK, Poland, Germany, Colombia, Russia and South-East Asia.’
All the company’s transport is outsourced to about ten haulage firms and courier networks.
‘Over any one year up to 30 trucks would be substantially engaged on delivering Stafford products with many more occasionally engaged.’
Mr Maher said: ‘This is a significant investment by Stafford Fuels and demonstrates our commitment to operating in the South East for the long-term. This new investment marks another important step towards a sustainable future for Stafford Fuels which has been operating in the South East for over 125 years.’
Stafford Fuels Ltd is part of the Stafford Group, a privately owned Irish Group of Companies which also comprises Lifestyle Sports and Campus Oil and has a total employment of around 850 people.
The Stafford Group originated from the business of JJ Stafford, a native of Wexford, who operated shipping and fuels businesses in the South East in the late 19th century. The company has strong local connections from generations of business operations and providing employment in counties including Wexford, Kilkenny and Waterford.